Pebble Stones

By Suat Tenbel

**Title:** "Umut's Tale: A Journey of Hope"

**Description:**

In a world where stories of struggle, hope, and resilience often intertwine, "Umut's Tale: A Journey of Hope" unfolds as a poignant narrative that touches upon the intricate web of human emotions, relationships, and aspirations. Written by [Your Name], this heartfelt novel delves into the lives of Nurcan and Cesur, two individuals who find themselves navigating the depths of adversity, forging their path towards a brighter future.

As the story begins, we are introduced to Nurcan, a woman seeking refuge from an abusive past. Determined to break free from the shackles of a tumultuous marriage, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, fueled by the desire for a life filled with love, respect, and tranquility. Alongside her stands Cesur, a man who becomes not only her beacon of hope but also her partner in a journey towards redemption.

Set against the backdrop of the serene village of Bergama, their love story unfolds with unexpected turns, unwavering support, and the powerful theme of second chances. Nurcan and Cesur's bond grows stronger as they face the challenges of societal expectations, personal healing, and the prospect of becoming parents through adoption. With the guidance of compassionate friends and allies, they embrace the prospect of creating a nurturing family environment for their adopted child, Pinar.

As Nurcan and Cesur's lives intertwine, the story resonates with themes of resilience, friendship, and the indomitable spirit of hope. Amidst the trials and tribulations, the characters learn that the road to happiness is often paved with challenges, but the power of love and unity can overcome even the darkest of circumstances.

"Umut's Tale: A Journey of Hope" is not just a tale of love and family, but a tribute to the strength of individuals who rise above adversity and work towards creating a better tomorrow. It pays homage to the countless women who have faced hardship and injustice, while also serving as a reminder that hope and change are achievable through courage, determination, and the support of loved ones.

This novel is dedicated to the memory of courageous women such as Özgecan Aslan, Emine Bulut, Şerife Beceren, Gamze Esen, Büşra Yabaşkul, Zübeyde Duran, Habibe Çevik, Deniz Gezginci, and the hundreds of women whose lives were tragically cut short in Turkey and around the world. Their stories serve as a catalyst for change, urging us all to stand united against gender-based violence and inequality.

As you delve into "Umut's Tale," may you find solace in the characters' journey, strength in their resilience, and a renewed sense of belief in the power of hope.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Suat Tenbel
• Release date: Aug 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223298571

Book preview

Pebble Stones 

Chapter One: Who is This Woman

The air was bitterly cold on a winter night, around three in the morning, when the sounds of their neighbors' argument on the floor above woke her up. The man was yelling, the woman was crying. She sat up in bed and listened to their fight for a while. Her sleep was shattered by now. She got up, went to the kitchen, and prepared her coffee. Sitting by the window, she began to watch the light drizzle falling outside. She had only taken a few sips of her coffee when their house door slammed shut. The argument seemed to have stopped, but the man's angry voice was still audible.

Not much time passed before she saw the woman sitting by the lamp post on the opposite sidewalk. The woman wasn't moving. After watching her for a moment, she decided to go over and help. She grabbed her coat and went downstairs, wondering if the husband would see her. As she stepped out of the building, she found the woman lying under the lamppost.

Her face was as pale as a sheet, the air was freezing, and rain was falling. She was wearing sweatpants she'd likely put on at home. They were soaked, and her breathing was barely audible. She tried to sit the woman up, but it was as if she was out of it. She dialed the ambulance with her phone. While waiting, she covered the woman with her coat. What had she gotten herself into in the middle of the night? What if the woman died? The husband was to blame, but she was involved too. The ambulance arrived. They asked her about the situation, and she explained as much as she knew. The woman had no identification on her, and she wasn't herself. She was going to go to the woman's apartment with a paramedic to retrieve her identification. They knocked on the door, and knocked, and knocked... Despite their persistent efforts, no one answered the door.

The paramedics said that since the woman didn't have any identification, she needed to come with them. She shared what she knew with the paramedics, retrieved the woman's wallet and ID from her apartment. The hospital wasn't far, and they provided immediate care for the woman, but she still wasn't quite conscious.

When they reached the hospital, they started attending to the woman urgently. Meanwhile, the paramedics and the hospital police approached the man to ask about the incident. She briefly recounted the situation to the police. A police officer assigned to the hospital suggested that her statement needed to be taken for the official record, and they should head to the hospital police room together. Just at that moment, she began to worry about herself, as this was when the concern truly started to sink in; it was an admissible case.

The police officer began taking her statement by asking her about the police officer's name, where she lived, how she knew the woman, etc. After all, despite living in the same building, she didn't actually know the woman.

I'm Cesur, she said. I work as a warehouse employee at a construction company. The police officers asked her how she knew the woman, and she explained that she was their upstairs neighbor. She woke up to the sounds of their arguments in their apartment and found the woman in this state downstairs afterward. When the police officers asked if she had any relationship with the woman, she replied that she had only encountered her in the building's common areas and had not seen her elsewhere. Given her long working hours and spending most of her time on buses during her commute, she had limited opportunities to interact. They inquired if anyone else lived with the woman, and she mentioned that only her grandmother stayed with her, but she had gone to their village in Bergama for two weeks. When the police checked Cesur's criminal record, it became evident that she was telling the truth. While the process of taking her statement continued, one of the emergency nurses entered the room and informed them that the woman's condition was serious. She had suffered a brain hemorrhage, which was why she was unconscious.

Upon hearing this, the police officers informed Cesur that they wouldn't let her leave until the situation was clear.

The situation was becoming increasingly complicated for Cesur. What about her husband? Cesur asked the police officer sitting in front of her at one point. She raised her head from the computer in front of her but didn't bother to respond, of course.

Around 8 in the morning, news came from the operating room. The woman's surgery had been successful, and she had been transferred to the intensive care unit. In the meantime, the police had managed to obtain the identities of the man and the woman from their address. The man, Ali, owned a home appliances store, and the woman, Nurcan, was a housewife. The police officers found them both in a drunken state in their homes in the early hours of the morning, which explained why they hadn't answered the door in the evening. They had taken the man to the local police station for his statement. Due to the successful surgery, the police officers finally released Cesur.

She returned home feeling exhausted. She had been awake all night, and fatigue was evident on her face. She narrated the events to her supervisor at work, requested the day off, took a shower, made herself some coffee, and lit a cigarette in the kitchen. She had been cleared of any criminal investigation, yet an unsettling feeling continued to linger within her. She couldn't help but constantly think about Nurcan, wondering how she was doing.

She lay down on her bed, closed her eyes, and tried to sleep, but every time she closed her eyes, she couldn't shake the image of Nurcan lying on the sidewalk in the rain from the previous night. Sleep eluded her.

The next day, Cesur went to the hospital without stopping by her workplace. She was worried about Nurcan's condition. She went to the intensive care unit to talk to a nurse, but since she wasn't a relative, she wasn't allowed to see